The Beautiful Mystery

Author Louise Penny

Description

The brilliant new novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our time No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend chickens, they make chocolate. And they sing. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world-famous for their glorious voices, raised in ancient chants whose effect on both singer and listener is so profound it is known as “the beautiful mystery.” But when the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Sûreté du Québec. There they discover disquiet beneath the silence, discord in the apparent harmony. One of the brothers, in this life of prayer and contemplation, has been contemplating murder. As the peace of the monastery crumbles, Gamache is forced to confront some of his own demons, as well as those roaming the remote corridors. Before finding the killer, before restoring peace, the Chief must first consider the divine, the human, and the cracks in between. The Beautiful Mystery is the winner of the 2012 Agatha Award for best novel, the 2013 Anthony Award for best novel and the 2013 Macavity Award for best novel.

Top Customer Reviews

The Beautiful Mystery

3

From ExCAO

As usual Louise Penny captivates with the twists and turns of this intriguing mystery. It is gut-wrenching, suspenseful, humorous and uplifting. I read it while listening to Gregorian Chant playing softly in the background. I high,y recommend it.

The Beautiful Mystery

5

From MacnordYVR

It's book is pure magic! It is the first of Louise Penny's books that I have read, and now I will read everything else she has written! She grips you right at the beginning and never lets go. The characters are drawn so clearly you could sketch them yourself. The setting is described so well it is as though you have been there. There isn't a single weak link, not a slow moment nor a flat character. You are there with them, in the chapel transported by the music, in the woods discovering and eating blueberries, or by the lake surrounded by mist. You care what happens to the characters after the book ends, all of them. This is an incredible book, read it, you will love it, I promise!

Brilliant!

5

From The madam

Just like all her other books. No it's not a 'British' mystery, but that is a poor excuse for denying yourself a truly delightful, immersive read.

British detective???

5

From Sophiecdog

I noticed the "British detective" categorization when I downloaded A Trick of the Light from iBooks. I contacted Louise Penny's assistant who investigated the issue. She told me that publishers or sellers often categorize books on the basis of the audience to whom the book might appeal. She said it was believed that Penny's wonderful Gamache mysteries would appeal to lovers of the British detective/cozy mystery. I too was perplexed as to how a Francophone detective who solves mysteries in rural Québec could be called a "British" detective. Very odd. In any case Louise Penny has created a wonderful series with excellent characterizations. I adore Gamache, many of his colleagues, the odd assortment of characters living in Three Pines as well as Three Pines. Indeed, I'd love to live in Three Pines myself, regardless of the high murder rate! I know this novel is set in a monastery but I really just wanted to use this review as an opportunity to say how erudite, entertaining and enjoyable her novels are. The one set in the British Historical Society in Québec City is a mystery, yes, but it is also a literary mystery, indeed a work of literature. Keep writing your wonderful books Ms. Penny. Thank you for many of the most enjoyable of my reading moment and for your wickedly clever sense of humour. (p.s. I must confess I write this without having yet read The Beautiful Mystery -- I've read all the others, some more than once. What brings me here is my eagerness to download it. If the program permits, I'll write an actual review after I finish reading it.)

The Beautiful Mystery

4

From Port Reader

You have referred to the book category as "British Detective". FYI, the main character lives is a Francophone, definitely not British!